2016 Press Releases

Tim Seebold Partners with NGK Spark Plugs for Last Lap Tour

After a 44-year racing career, Tim Seebold, the winningest USF1 powerboat driver, will retire following the 2016 season. Coming off of a winning season in 2015 where he won the USF1 Powerboat Championship, the focus has shifted to his final season driving competitively, and beyond. “I feel like I’ve accomplished more than I could ever dream of as far as a driver,” said Seebold. “After a long career, you’re always going to remember the last of it and how the end played out. My goal is to go out on top one more time this year to showcase what our team is capable of.”

Partnering with NGK Spark Plugs as the title sponsor for a fourth straight season, 2016 will be the final year of a 77-year Seebold Racing lineage that spans three generations. “My grandfather, my father, my older brother Mike and I have spent our lives dedicated to this sport,” said Seebold. “One of the things that made our family thrive was that we all did it together. We all were heavily involved and active in the sport and racing was a family affair. I’d like to leave racing in a better position than it was when we first got involved.”

Tim’s grandfather, Bill Seebold, Sr., began racing in 1939. His father, Bill Seebold, Jr. enjoyed a 46-year racing career that included 69 world and national championships and more than 900 race victories. His sons, Mike and Tim, started racing at ages 13 and 8, respectively. Mike is a multi-time National and World champion in a variety of different powerboat classes and Tim has won 16 World Championships and boasts the most race wins in USF1 history, including his most recent title as the 2015 USF1 Powerboat Champion. “To carry on a family tradition has always been an honor for me. Just being mentioned in the same sentence as my family is still special, there’s no better company in powerboat racing.”

Team Seebold is going gold in 2016 for the Last Lap Tour, sporting a different look in conjunction with an important milestone for NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.), Inc. “2016 marks NGK’s 50th year doing business in the United States,” said Mark Sprague, General Manager of Marketing at NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.), Inc. “In 1966, Seebold Sports had a well-established racing legacy and has since become the winningest family in professional motorsports.

We are proud to have Tim fly the NGK flag for his final season, as his successful career aligns itself with the Art of Fast; inspired by passion for perfection and personal achievement in racing.” The partnership between NGK Spark Plugs and Seebold Racing began over fifteen years ago and the sponsorship has grown as Tim’s career has succeeded. “One of the things that motivates me is having a sponsor like NGK and the great people who work there supporting me, appreciating the sport as much as I do. That admiration of hard work helps promote the brand and lends to a great working relationship. I look forward to partnering again with NGK Spark Plugs in 2016,” said Seebold.Team Seebold is sponsored to compete in 11 races for the 2016 final season:

“Partnering with Tim and the Seebold Racing family all these years has been fantastic,” said Mike Schwab, Senior Vice President of Aftermarket Sales and Marketing at NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.), Inc. “The winning spirit of Seebold Racing fits perfectly with our products and helping this team win so many races and championships has been a very special experience for all of us at NGK Spark Plugs. We wish Tim the best of luck during his final year driving the NGK Spark Plugs boat in 2016.”

“You can’t do this on your own,” said Seebold. “Without the knowledge and change in perspective from your family, your team and your sponsors, none of this is possible. This sport has always been fun. I’ve been fortunate to have the people I love support me and share this with me. When you’re having fun, it never truly feels like hard work.”

Since 1936, NGK Spark Plugs has been the world leader in technology, innovation, and world-class quality in the design of spark plugs and oxygen sensors. Today, NGK manufactures NGK Spark Plugs and NTK Oxygen Sensors for virtually every automotive manufacturer in the world.

NGK has built a reputation for quality and reliability, and a commitment to excellence continues to be the driving force behind the company’s advanced research and development programs. With state-of-the-art manufacturing, inventory, and distribution facilities, NGK is dedicated to providing customers with world-class products and services. In addition to serving OE automotive and aftermarket customers, NGK also produces spark plugs for motorcycle, power sports, marine and small engine manufacturers. NGK also offers complementary product lines including resistor caps, spark plug wires, and high performance cables. In North America, NGK is headquartered in Wixom, MI and maintains manufacturing, inventory, and distribution facilities in Irvine, CA, Sissonville, WV, and Chicago, IL.

Our Mission: "We improve life through the environmentally responsible manufacture and precise application of advanced ceramic technologies for all of North America. Focused on innovation and teamwork, we contribute to local and global economic growth by matching our products to our customers' visions each day, exceeding their expectations in quality, value, service and performance."

Tim has been working day and night the past couple of months to get the 3 Formula One Racing Boats, 48 Foot Race Trailer and Semi Hauler re-branded with this year’s new NGK 50th Anniversary Gold edition graphics. He has teamed up again with Kevin Pyles, owner of the MOTO Marketing Group, to help design the new look. Kevin, who has worked with the Seebold Team’s Marketing and Graphics for nearly 20 years feels this new boat design is the best they have ever created in Seebold’s Racing History.

Pro Designs is once again printing and wrapping all the team’s racing machines, including using all new custom Golden Chrome vinyl on the F1 Boats to give Tim a shiny new look that nobody has ever witnessed on a F1 Boat before.

The new NGK 50th Anniversary Editions Graphics will be carried throughout the Team's Machines, Uniforms and PR Materials.

Along with NGK Spark plugs as this final tour’s primary sponsorship, Tim is bringing back several secondary sponsors that he has work with throughout his long career including the following: